Sash balance



Feb-.13 1940- o. l.. DAuTRlcK 2,190,098

` sAsH BALANCE Filed Aug. 5, 193s 4 sheets-sheep 1 Feb. 13, 1940.

o. vl.. DAUTRICK SASH BALANCE- Filed Aug. 5, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb.13, 1940. o. l.. DAuTRlcK SASH BALANCE Filed Aug. 5, 1938 4 Sheets-SheetI5 Feb. 13, 1940. o. l.. DAUTRICK SASH BALANCE Filed Aug. 5, 1938 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Feb. 13, 1940,

i UNITED STATES PATIENT QFFICE l I `ramones i 4 v sASHBALANcE owen L`matrice, Detroit, Mich. Application Auguri; 5, 19a-s, seriarNo. 223,172:

9 claims. `(o1. 16T-19s) i The present invention relates in general t'means for balancing window sashes and other analogous articles whichrequire to be raised `and lowered, and is more particularly concernedwith improvements in devices for such purpose of the type wherein theweight of the article isbalanced by the action of one or more springs.The present application constitutes a continuation-inpart of mycopending application, Serial No.

` 184,515, filed Jan. 12, 1938.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an .improvedsash balance of the spring type which may be used with standardwindowframes.

A further object is to provide novel Aclosing means for concealing asash balance mechanism i of the herein described type, which eiectivelyconceals the device yet enables ready and easy access thereto whennecessary.

Another object is to provide in a device of the character described.,improved means for ,connecting the balancing springs with the`a.Ssocalled instrunientalities, whereby improved action and operationmay be secured.

Still another object is to provide improved means for adjusting thespringtension to accommodate the mechanism for window sashes of vdii--ferent Weights. f l

It is also an object of the herein describedinvention to provide animproved sash balance which incorporated novel bracket supporting meansarranged to additionally form a suppclrt for a mechanism concealingplate, and in which this plate may constitute the sub-headjjamb of thewindow frame, thus enablingmy improved balance mechanism to be utilizedwithr a standard window frame structure.

Although for purposes of illustration the invention is disclosed asbeing utilized with window sashes, it will be apparent to those Skilledin uthe art that the' invention may with equal facility be utilized withother types of closure panels, `such as doors, sliding panels, etc.,Without `f hlirting from the principles of the invention. y l

Other objects and features of they invention will more fully appear fromthe following .detailed description, taken in connection with theaccom-fing drawing-s which illustrate severalielm- ,'l thereof, and 'inwhich:

Figure l isa plan view of .a `sash balance embodying the features of thepresent invention, `the balance `being applied to a `window 'frame ofstandard construction;

Figure 2 is an elevational view .of the same;

5.5 Figure 3 is an 4enlarged vertical fragmentary spring v Aspring isslidably connected to the rod, taken substantially'on line VI--VI ofFigure 5;

. Figure 'I is a similar sectional view taken through the rod adjacentthe other end of the 15 spring, taken substantially on line VII-V11 ofFigure;4 l Figure 8`is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in section,showing the manner in which the ten sioning pulley is removablyconnected to the springrod;

Figure 9 is a transverse sectional view through the same, takensubstantially online IX+I-X of Figure 8;

' Figure 10 is a detail view looking at'the outer end ofone of thewinding drums, showing the manner inwhich the exible sash tapev issecured to the drum, taken substantially on line X-X of Figure 5;

Figure 11 isa view similar to Figure 1 of a slightly modiiedconstruction of sash balance embodying the features of the presentinvention;

. Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing the modified`structure in elevation;

' Figure-13 is an enlarged transverse sectional 35' view of the same,taken substantially on line XIII- XIII of Figure 11;

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view takensubstantially on lineY XIV-XIV lof Figure 11; and

Figure 15 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional View of thesame, taken substantially online `of Figure 1,1.

As shown on the drawings:

The invention is `disclosed as being applied to 45 a standard windowframe or casing which as usually constructed contains spaced side jambsI and I1 which are connected at the topof the frame by ahead jarnb V|8Vin any suitable manner. l Window .sashes (not shown) are mounted 'inthis 50` frame for raising and lowering movements, and the presentinvention is primarily yconcerned with improved means for 'balancing theweight of these sashes so vthat they may be easily actuated.

As generally shown in Figures l anda, the

ancing unit connected to one side only of each,v sash may be furnished.On the other hand, where the sashes are larger and heavier or wherethematter of economy is not a limiting` factor,

two units may be furnished for each sash, these, units beingindependently connected to both sides of the sash.

I have shown the balancing mechanism foral window containing two sashes,two spring units being provided for each sash. l,'I-he'spring' units arearranged in right and left-hand pairs, the two units for connection tothe left side ofthe two sashes being mounted together and the two unitsforthe right sides of the two sashes being mounted together. The units"are arranged to be mounted at the upper cornersof a standard windowframe.

Each spring unit comprises an elongate rod I9 which may be constructedof any suitable material, wood having been found satisfactory for thispurpose. As shown in Figure 5, one Aend of this rod is centrallyapertured to receive a trunnion'pin 20 which is driven into the end ofthe rod and projects outwardly therefrom to form a pivot for this end ofthe rod and also serve as a support for rotatably supporting a windingdrum 2| which may be constructed of any suitable material such as zwood.

The winding drum 2| is provided at its innermost end with a cup-shaped`metal ca'p 22, the bottom surface of this cap abutting the end of therod to form a bearing surface. The bottom of this cap at itsperipheryvisprovided with a circumferential `bead 23which has a cutout portion 24,as shown in Figure 3, for a purpose which will be explained laterf.

This end of the rod I9 is rotatably supported in an end bracket 25, andthe otherend of the rod is rotatably supported in a bracket 2li.` Eachof these brackets is arranged to'support two of the spring units.

The bracket 25 embodies `a substantially rectangular main plate portion21 which is secured in surface engagement with the associated side jamb.This portion of the bracket is apertured to receive the projecting endsof the trunnion pins, .the jambs being provided with suitable sockets 28so as to enable the ends of the trunnion pins Ato project through the.plate portion 2'I`.

- The bracketZ, as shown in Figures vl and 2, is of substantiallyU-shaped construction and has spaced leg portions 29 and 3!) withaligned apertures of suicient size to permit the associatedend of therod I9 to project therethrough. This bracket may be secured with thespaced ends of the U-shaped legs against the head jarnb I8. as by acentrally disposed screw 3| extending through the bridging` portionconnecting the legs.

The rod I9'is retained against longitudinal removal from `the bracketsv25 and 26 by means of a diametrically extending pin 32 which khas itsend projecting beyond. the surface. of Ythe' rod.

This pin is positioned between the legs 29 and 30 of the bracket 26 andbears against the inner surface of leg 3U, thus holding the rod againstmovement in such direction as would tend to cause the end of thetrunnion pin to be withdrawn from its support in the plate 27 of bracket25.

Surrounding the rod I9- is a coiled tension spring 33 which is securedat one end to the cap 22 associated withfthe winding drum 2|. 'I'his endof the spring is anchored by carrying the marginal end of the springthrough the cutout portion 24, thence through the passagewaycooperatively formed by the bead and the asso- -ciatd end of the windingdrum. The extreme en d. of the spring is then again brought out throughthe cutout portion and deected as shown at 34 in Figure 3.

The opposite end of the spring is secured to a sleeve member 35 ofgenerally tubular construction. This member is provided with an inwardlystruck rib portion '36 which extends longitudinally of the"sleeveand isadapted to slidingly extend `into .a slotf3I which extendslongitudinally of the rod I9 and is formed in the surface thereof. Theinnermost end of this sleeve member vis deflected to form acircumferentlally extending bead 38 having a cutout portion 39 whichforms anentrance opening to the interior of the bead. The associated endof the spring is secured ina similar manner to that in which the otherend `is secured to the cap 22. That is, the` marginal end ofthe springis carried through the cutout portion 3S, thence through the interior ofthe bead 33. The extreme end portionl of thespring is then brought outthrough thecutout portion 39 and deiiectedas shown at 40 in Figure 6. v

With the construction just described, it will be apparent that thesleeve35 anchors the associatedvend of the spring to the rod IS in such mannerthat this end of the spring will be rotated with the rod but is free tomove longitudinally of the rod when the spring tension is increasedordecreased.

The utilization of a bead for engaging at least one of the end turns ofthe spring in the anchoring means has been found to possess desirableadvantages'over arrangements wherein the eX- treme tip end of the springis simply deflected to form a singlepoint hook connection.

In my improved arrangement, the beadedportion engages the 4last turn ofthe spring substantially throughout its circumference, thus holding thecoil erect and opposing any tendency of this coil to tilt. By holdingthe end coils erect in this manner, the intermediate coilswill also havea tendency to remain erect duringincreases and decreases of the springtension. Moreover, the bead allows for changes in diameter ofthe springcoils during changing of its tension.

As a lresult, a much more favorable spring action is secured -byeliminating excessive strain and reducing friction at the points ofanchorage. Also,.I have found that my improved anchor means enableslighter spring wire to be used in which the torsional forces arerelatively lower than in the case of heavier spring wire. A muchimproved and truer counterbalancing results, and the .recoil action ofthe spring is lessened.

Each winding drum 2i is arranged to have a flexible tape 4I wound andunwound thereon. One end of vthis tape is connected to a sash in anysuitable manner, and the other end is confrom, but permitting the tapeto Itbe-wound aroundV the drum. i

Each spring unit fis arranged lto `h ave its spring initially tensionedto any predetermineduor desirable amount. This is accomplished-byrotating the shaft ill-9, and -a suitable latch Lfor retaining the shaftagainst rotation in one direction ,is provided. For this purpose, alatchingplate .-44 is pivoted at one edge yby means of trunnions .45 and46 in the `legs 29 and 30 -ofbracketi for swinging movement. The free-end of 1 Y this Aplate is arranged to ride Yonl the surface of the rodi9, as shown in Figure 4, in the path of movement of the projecting endsof pin `32. Thus, the shaft I9 may be Yrotated in one direction, butwhen it tends .to move in `rthe reverse direction, oneend or the otherof the pin 32 will `engage against the free edge of the plate 44 andthus be latched against movement. The plate -44 is normally moved tolatching position Aby the'action of gravity. y y

In Iorder to facilitate rotation of'rod |19 for tensicning `itsassociated spring, each rod is' provided at its linnermost ,end withadiametrically extending end slot 41;.' A winding pulley -or-.sleeve 48is arranged `to be removably placed over the slotted end. of the rod,this pulley :having an 'in ternal web 49 which will enter the slot 41andanchortthe pulley for rotative movement vwith lthe shaft. The outersurface -of the pulley islarranged to havev a pull cord 50 woundfthereonfby means .of which the shaft may be rotated simply by pullingon the cord.

`Itwill be noted that the slotted endsof all the winding units -areadjacently disposed and that the winding pulley may be selectivelyconnected with any one of the rodsr|f9 rof the spring units forinitially tensioning their springs to the :desi-red amount. v

By utilizing `a splined` connection between the inner end of the springand rod, the torsional effect only of the spring is utilized. Moreover,such a connection preventsthe spring `coils from overlapping and lockingwith each other when tensioned, and the `spring y-coils -will .at all`timeslie smoothly and regularly along the rod. 'I-'his arrangement alsopermits the use of different lengths of springs without having to modifythe other parts ofthe mechanism.

In .the preferred form of my ,inventiQrL the brackets 25, whichvaregutilized for supportingthe spring units -on the side jambs of `thewindow frame, `are also utilized to support closure and concealingmembers for concealing thesash :balance mechanism position rattheupperendrof the window frame. l

The .front side of thesash ,balance :mechanism is concealed by means4including a removable plate 5l, as shown in Figure 1, which issecuredas by screws-52 and 52' to abutment flangesf'53 and A53 respectivelyformed on `the Supporting bracket-s 25-25' associated with the sidejambsof the `window frame.

Each of these end brackets at its lowerrnost edge is `provided withspaced apartinverted L- shapedportions54 and 55, as shown in `Figures 2andS. These portions are spaced from theplate 21 and are arranged 4tovreceivethe ends of a closure plate 56 therein. y i l s The "associatedend :of the plate 56 may Abe removablysecured to the portions 54 andl 55as by ,sui-table screws-51 and 58. The opposite encl of vplate 56isgsimilarly'securedto the bracket 25'. With this arrangement, the plate56, yin effect, forms ,a sub-head jamb forthe 4sashes and mayr havesecuredI thereto a parting stripes shown at 59. i

Itwill beobserved'thatzthe ends of the plate 5,6 are yinwardly disposedatthe plate 21 ofthe bracket 25, so that the `flexible tape M `does nothaveto passthroughfthe plate 56. The portions 54 and :55'have theiradjacent edges spaced apart to form a slot 60 for one .of the tapes, andthe portion 54 has yits forward edgespaced from the flange =53 to form aslot or opening 6| to permit passageiof the other tape. i

If ,;desired, vthe rear edge of plate 56` may be provided Twith alongitudinally extending tongue 62 adapted to fit into a suitablegrooveGB formed `in a back plate member -64 atthe rear side and topofthe window frame. This tongue may have its `upper edge rounded to'facilitate swinging movement of 4the plate 56 `when itis removed andinserted into closing` position. Also, the forwardedge of this plate isbeveled as shown at 65 so that it will not bind against the plate 5lwhen swung into and out of closing position.`

The .modified sash balance construction as shown in. Figures 11 tok 15inclusive,iopera te upon the same'general principles as the-preferredform of the invention, but, differs therefrom in the construction ofcertain of its parts. 'Ihemodt fled construction, as disclosed on thedrawings,

may be constructed either as a single or double unit, and it is thoughtthat a description ofthe double unit will `be ,sufficient to clearlyshow the detailed differences between the preferred andmodiedconstructions of the invention.

The doubleunit comprises anelongate rod` 65 which is provided at itsends with trunnion 4pins 61--61 projectingoutwardly from the ends of therod to form pivots for winding drums ttf-E8 of any suitable materialsuch as wood.

l The trunnions `til are of sufcient length `to project past the windingdrums land support the rod .3,6 :for 4'rotation in, end `brackets 63 andl which are secured as byscrews 1|. in surface engagement with therespective side jambs i6 and Il of the-windowframe.

rEach bracket is v.provided with a centrally cutoutj-portion .12 whichadmits of theassociated trunnionpin being -seatedbehind a hookedprojection 7,3 by carrying itthrough an entrance Opening 1 4. yIn itsIsupported position in an ,associated `end. bracket, `the trunnionpin-projects outwardlypastthe bracket into a` dado Vor groove 15st theupperend of the associated jamb. For .additionally supporting the rod 65intermediate Aits ends, .an intermediate bracket 'It ,is provided, whichmay be secur edto the fixed head jamb `by'rneanskof asuitable `screw 'IL,'Ihe trod 65 extends througha suitable aper-` ture "i8` in the bracket,as shown in Figure 14. The rod is rotatably supported in the bracket inan,v open ended sleeve .79 which partially surrounds the rod` and hasonerendthereof outwardly deflected to form a radiallyextendng end ly,deflected to form a radially `extending end flange 8l, `,Fligjnre 14.Thisange is adapted `to ported against edgewise movementin the bracketin any suitable manner. f f

Pivotally disposed on opposite sides ofthe intermediate bracket, tensionsprings 83 and y84 are coiled around the rod. Oneof these springswill bea right-hand; spring and the other a left-hand spring. The springs are.similarly connected at their ends with the winding drums and the rod66.

For example, the outermost end of spring 8 4 is anchored to a sleeve 85which surrounds the innermost endof the winding drum and is securedthereto as by an anchor pin or other lsuitable means (not shown) Thus`the sleeveV and drum have unitary movement. Any appropriate means maybe utilized for Securing the associated spring end to the drum, but onesatisfactory method is to provide Ythe sleeve 85 with a projection 86over which the spring end may be hooked. If desired, this projection maybe bent around the spring to hold it against the end of the windingdrum.

The other end of the spring is secured to a sleeve'l which surrounds therod' 66. This sleeve is retained against rotational vmovement relativeto the rod by means of an internal rib which is adapted to extend intothe groove 82 for sliding movement therein. It will thus be evident thatthe sleeve as thus secured will be rotatable with the rod, but is freeto move longitudinally on the rod when the associatedspring `has itstension increased or decreased. y

As in the preferred form of the invention, the winding drums 68 are inthis case adaptedto have the flexible tape 4l wound thereon.

For simultaneously tensioning the springs 83 and 84 to the same amount,a tensioning pulley 68 is loosely mounted on the rod 66 for rotativemovement thereon. This pulley has awinding surface adapted to have awinding or pull cord wound thereon in the same manner as the windingpulley in the preferred form of the invention.

One end of the pulleyv is provided with clutching teeth 89 which areadapted, when the pulley is slid along the rod into abutting relationwith the sleeve 19, to clutchingly engage the flange 45.

80. Upon rotation of the pulley 88 by pulling upon the tensioning cord,the rod 66 will be r0- tated in the proper direction tol tension vthesprings 83 and 84. vThese springs may be tensioned to just the rightamount to counter-balance the weight of the sash which is connectedthereto through the tapes 4 I. Rotation of the rod in the oppositedirection, which will tend to release the tension on the springs, isprevented by means of a suitablelatching arrangement.

This latching arrangement comprises a pawl 9D, as shown in Figure 14,which is swin'gably mounted on a pivot 9| secured tothe intermediatebracket 16. This pawl is held in latching position by gravity. Should itbe desirable at any time to lessen the tension on the springs, this maybe easily accomplished by actuating the tensioning pulley in atensioning direction suiiiciently to enable the pawl to be manuallyreleased, whereuponby releasing the pressure or pull on the tensioningcord, the springs will be permitted to unwind and rotate the shaft untilthe proper tension remains in the spring. The paWl may then be releasedto latch the rod against further unwinding movement.

A single spring unit, as shown in Figure 11, mayalso be constructedafter the manner of my modified construction. This unitoperates on thesame principles as the double arrangement except that instead ofproviding two springs and two winding drums only one spring and onewinding drum is necessary. In the single arrangement, instead of havingconnecting tapes secured at opposite sides of the sash, a single tape issecured at one side of the sash as in my rst arrangement. fIt will alsobe noted that in the case of the single arrangement, the tensioningpulley may be removed from the rod, when itis not being used, the sameas in my preferred construction.'

Since it is necessary in spring balanced mechanisms for sashes, whereAthe load is constant and the power supplied by the spring is variable,to provide some means to balance the sash at all points of its positionof adjustment, it is understood that Weatherstripping may be providedfor this purpose, as described in my aforementioned co-pendingapplication.

VFrom the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the presentinvention provides an improved sash balance mechanism of the spring typewhich may be utilized with standard window frames; which embodies novelclosing means for the balance mechanism, which is supported from thebracket utilized'for supporting the balance mechanism, whereby themechanism is effectively concealed and yet is so arranged that access tothe mechanism may be readily and easily accomplished, when necessary;improved means for connecting the balancing springs with the associatedparts of the mechanism, whereby novel and improved spring action may besecured; and which includes improved means for adjusting the springtension to accommodate the balance mechanism for windowv sashes ofdifferent weights.

It is, of course, to be understood that although I have described indetail a preferred and modified embodiment of my invention, theinvention is not to be thus limited but only insofar as defined by thescope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A sash balance mechanism comprising a rod supported for rotativemovement, a winding drum rotatably supported at one end of said rod andadaptedV to have a exible member connectible to a sash wound andunwoundthereon, an elongate coiled spring surrounding said rod andextendingv away from said drum, one end of said spring being connectedto said drum, and the other end of said spring being connected to saidrod for rotative movement therewith, means adjacent the latterconnection of the spring for manually rotating said rod in one directionto tension said spring,means for latching said rod against rotation inthe opposite direction, said latter means including a projection carriedby said rod, and a hinged plate having its free end normally riding onsaid rod in the path of travel of said projection. l 2. In asashbalance, a drum supported for rotative movement, said drum having awinding surface, a cap member disposed over one end of said drum, acircumferentially extending bead formed in said cap,` said bead beingopen toward the associated end of the drum and cooperating therewith toforma circular passageway, a cutout portion in said beaddening anentrance to said passageway, and a coiled spring having one of its endmargins extending through said opening and passageway.

3. In a sash balance, a rotatably mounted rod having a longitudinallyextending surface slot, a sleeve member surrounding said rod, said`sleeve having an inwardly deflected portion disposed in said slot, acircumferentially extending tubular bead at one end of said sleevehaving a cutout portion deiining an entrance opening to the interior ofsaid bead, a coiled spring surrounding said rod, said spring having oneof its end margins extending through said opening and looped Within saidbead. l

4. In a sash balance, anormally stationary rotatable rod, a rotatableWinding drum at one end of said rod adapted for connection to a sash, aspring interconnecting said `rod and drum, said rod having an end slotat its other end, a tubu-` lar second Winding drum removably slidableover said latter end, said second drum having an internal web arrangedto enter said slot, and a iiexible pull member adapted to be Wound onsaid latter drum.

5. In a sash balance, a rotatably mounted elongate member, a firstwinding drum` resiliently connected to said member and arranged for`connection with a sash, a tubular'second Winding drum removably slidableover an end of said member, means removably connecting said second drumand member, and a flexible `pull member adapted to be Wound on saidsecond drum.

6. In a sash balance mechanism, an elongate coiled spring, a rotatablymounted member, and means for connecting one end of said spring to saidmember, said means including an element engageable with at least one endturn of the spring at a plurality of points in its vcircumference,whereby the vturns of the spring are retained erect during increaseanddecrease of the tension of said spring.

7. In a sash balance mechanism, an elongat coiled spring, a rotatablymounted member,v a

8. In a sash balance mechanism, an elongate coiled spring, a rotatablymounted member, a normally non-rotative member, first means foranchoring one end of the spring to the rotatable member, second meansfor anchoring the other end of the spring to the normally non-rotativemember, said rst means and second means in each case having partsarranged to engage at least one end turn of the spring and hold itagainst tilting during increase and decrease of the tension of saidspring, and a connection enabling movement of one of said means in adirection axially of said spring.

9. In a sash balance, an elongate rotatably mounted rod, an elongatecoiled spring surrounding said rodand having one end anchored to therod, a pair of Winding drums respectively at the ends of said rod, oneof said drums being rotatable relatively to said rod and'connected withthe other end of said spring, said one of said drums being arranged forconnection with a sash, l

means for removably connecting the other of said drums to the rod, and apull cord for rotating the latter drum to vary the tension of saidspring in its relation to said one of said drums.

OWEN L. DAUTRICK.

